Streamy Awards Submissions Open, New Categories for 2010

Has it been a year already? Submissions for the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards opened today, honoring the best web television of 2009 in thirty-five different categories. Winners are determined in a hybrid of public submissions from the online community and peer voting by the International Academy of Web Television (IAWTV). Eligible shows up for consideration must have been released online at least three episodes during the 2009 calendar year.

Many of last year’s Streamy winners and nominees continued to thrive in 2009 with shows like The Guild, Dorm Life, EPIC FU and Tiki Bar TV all reaching new heights of viewership. But one thing is for certain, last year’s multi-Streamy-winning Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog won’t be back to compete this time around. (Unless they sneak out that long-rumored sequel in the next two weeks!)

What’s new this year?

12 new award categories have been added, based on community feedback from last year and the ever evolving landscape of web television. The new categories added include Best New Web Series, for new shows that premiered online in 2009, Best Foreign Web

Series, for shows created in countries outside the U.S. and Best Branded Entertainment Web Series, covering shows that originated from a brand or ad agency. The new categories should allow for clearer distinctions between the thousands of eligible web series.

Get Certified

Also new this year are certified submissions, which allow for content owners to directly submit proper crediting for their shows, certifying that the proper people are submitted in each Streamy Award category. The general public and fans will still be sending in their favorite shows and talent for consideration, though by certifying a show, creators can make sure the right people are credited and considered by the voters.

Overall Series Best Comedy Web Series Best Dramatic Web Series Best Reality or Documentary Web Series Best News or Politics Web Series Best New Web Series * Best Companion Series * Best Animated Web Series * Best Branded Entertainment Web Series * Best Hosted Web Series Audience Choice Award for Best Web Series Directing Best Directing for a Comedy Web Series Best Directing for a Dramatic Web Series Writing Best Writing for a Comedy Web Series Best Writing for a Dramatic Web Series ( * indicates new award category for 2010)

Performance Best Male Actor in a Comedy Web Series Best Female Actor in a Comedy Web Series Best Male Actor in a Dramatic Web Series Best Female Actor in a Dramatic Web Series Best Ensemble Cast in a Web Series Best Guest Star in a Web Series Best Web Series Host Best Vlogger * Craft Awards Best Editing in a Web Series Best Cinematography in a Web Series Best Art Direction in a Web Series Best Sound in a Web Series * Best Visual Effects in a Web Series Best Animation in a Web Series Best Original Music in a Web Series Best Live Production in a Web Series * Best Interactive Experience in a Web Series * Best Product Integration in a Web Series Best Mobile Experience in a Web Series * Best Foreign Web Series * Best Experimental Web Series *

The 2nd Annual Streamy Awards will be held Sunday April 11, 2010 in Los Angeles and streamed live online to viewers around the world. To keep track of up-to-the-minute updates on The Streamy Awards be sure to follow the official Streamys blog and @streamyawards on Twitter.

Photo credit: The Bui Brothers